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The Wire

Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Castor Chacko, Oto Sequeira, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.

Spying Seals From Space w/ Doctor Michelle LaRue: September 23rd, 2022

Spying Seals From Space w/ Doctor Michelle LaRue: September 23rd, 2022 Spying Seals From Space w/ Doctor Michelle LaRue: September 23rd, 2022, 22.62 MB
Fri 23 Sep 2022

A years-long research project  has recently concluded, providing an understanding of the number of Weddell seals in Antarctica. 

The project involved the usage of satellites, which researchers made public and asked volunteers to count the number of seals in the continent.

In their final report of the findings, researchers discovered that the number of seals was much lower than initially thought.

Liam had a chat with Dr Michelle LaRue, an associate professor of Gateway Antarctica at the University of Canterbury, about the findings.

 

Food Insecurity w/ Rebekah Graham: September 23rd, 2022

Food Insecurity w/ Rebekah Graham: September 23rd, 2022 Food Insecurity w/ Rebekah Graham: September 23rd, 2022, 12.94 MB
Fri 23 Sep 2022

Food insecurity impacts thousands of New Zealand families every week.

However, the myth that people aren’t making the right life choices still exists.

David spoke to Rebekah Graham from Parents of Vision Impaired about the issue.

Concerns surrounding Alzheimer's Post-Diagnostic Care w/ Catherine Hall: September 22, 2022

Concerns surrounding Alzheimer's Post-Diagnostic Care w/ Catherine Hall: September 22, 2022 Concerns surrounding Alzheimer's Post-Diagnostic Care w/ Catherine Hall: September 22, 2022 , 17.08 MB
Thu 22 Sep 2022

Alzheimers NZ is appalled that as many as 30,000 New Zealanders with dementia and around as many care partners can’t get the post-diagnostic community support they need. The latest World Alzheimer Report, which was released last night, by Alzheimer’s Disease International, says the lack of post-diagnostic care for people living with dementia is a global problem.

Joe spoke to Alzheimer NZ Chief Executive Catherine Hall on the matter.

Live Export Trade failing to protect Aotearoa's animals w/ Debra Ashton: September 22, 2022

Live Export Trade failing to protect Aotearoa's animals w/ Debra Ashton: September 22, 2022 Live Export Trade failing to protect Aotearoa's animals w/ Debra Ashton: September 22, 2022, 16.47 MB
Thu 22 Sep 2022

Information obtained through an Official Information Act requests has revealed that as many as ten times more animals could be dying shortly after live export voyages compared with during the journey.

Joe spoke to SAFE for Animals CEO Debra Ashton on this matter.

 

The Wire w/ Joe: September 22, 2022

The Wire w/ Joe: September 22, 2022 The Wire w/ Joe: September 22, 2022, 108.43 MB
Thu 22 Sep 2022

This week on The Wire for Rāpare Thursday!

As per usual, Tuva’a brings us our regular chat with Labour's Andrew Little.

Joe speaks to Mohamed Elkharboutly from Massey University about traditional knowledge being the key to building cyclone-resistant homes in Fiji. Joe also talks to the Chief Executive of Alzheimers NZ, Catherine Hall, about global research indicating concerns in Alzheimers post diagnostic care.

Frances brings us Greendesk! She speaks to CEO Heather Saunderson from Keep New Zealand Beautiful about Clean Up Week.

Joe also speaks to SAFE for Animals CEO Debra Ashton about new data revealing the failure of the international live export trade to protect New Zealand’s animals.

That's us for the Thursday Wire!

 

Electoral Engagement w/ Shane Reti: September 20, 2022

Electoral Engagement w/ Shane Reti: September 20, 2022 Electoral Engagement w/ Shane Reti: September 20, 2022, 16.21 MB
Tue 20 Sep 2022

Voting for this year’s local body elections has begun, which is bringing increasing scrutiny to the issue of voter engagement.

Particularly for young people, Maori and Pasifika, but also for the general population, voter participation in local elections is relatively low and on the decline.

In regards to next year’s national election, the Independant Electoral Review Panel has begun seeking public input on potential changes to the electoral system that could benefit New Zealand’s democracy.

For Casper's weekly catch-up with National MP Dr Shane Reti, they discussed this topic of voter engagement as well as what might be expected from this electoral review and which changes he might believe to be useful.

 

The Uffindell report w/ Dr Lara Greaves: September 20, 2022

The Uffindell report w/ Dr Lara Greaves: September 20, 2022 The Uffindell report w/ Dr Lara Greaves: September 20, 2022, 15.73 MB
Tue 20 Sep 2022

Newly elected Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell came under scrutiny last month after Stuff revealed he had been involved in a serious assault on a 13-year-old boy when he was a student at King's College. Later, his female flatmate from when he was attending Otago University came forward with allegations of threatening and abusive behaviour.

Uffindell was suspended from caucus while an independent inquiry by Maria Dew KC took place. On Monday, National announced the findings of the investigation: aside from the King's College incident, the other bullying allegations were unsubstantiated.

For her analysis on the affair and how it was handled by National, Christina spoke to political commentator Dr Lara Greaves.

Consent Law Reform w/ Layba Zubair: September 20, 2022

Consent Law Reform w/ Layba Zubair: September 20, 2022 Consent Law Reform w/ Layba Zubair: September 20, 2022, 20.46 MB
Tue 20 Sep 2022

Content warning: this next story contains details of rape and sexual assault.

Christina sat down with Layba Zubair to talk about her petition to reform consent laws in Aotearoa, which had received 12,000 signatures by the time it closed and will now head to Parliament.

ADHD Healthcare Improvements w/ Darrin Bull: September 19, 2022

ADHD Healthcare Improvements w/ Darrin Bull: September 19, 2022 ADHD Healthcare Improvements w/ Darrin Bull: September 19, 2022, 33.69 MB
Mon 19 Sep 2022

Various institutions have met and agreed to start work looking into potential changes that could improve access to medicine and treatment for people with Mate Mauri Rere, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), in Aotearoa.

Representatives from Pharmac, Police and Te Whatu Ora, along with professional medical colleges, the DHBs and the Ministry of Health met with ADHD New Zealand and Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick last month in a hui where six priorities were identified for improvement

Trishil spoke to Darrin Bull from ADHD New Zealand to get his thoughts on the matter.

 

The Wire w/ Joe: September 19, 2022

The Wire w/ Joe: September 19, 2022 The Wire w/ Joe: September 19, 2022, 108.07 MB
Mon 19 Sep 2022

The Wire for Rāhina Monday!

This week on the show Joe speaks to Ingrid O’Sullivan, a Senior Adviser in Environmental Law at Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, about turtle bycatch mitigation. He also speaks to Wayne Macpherson from Massey University about how employers can improve workplace flexibility. 

Trishil speaks to Darrin Bull from ADHD New Zealand about the ADHD healthcare improvements.

And Stella and Isla speak with Rebecca Trelease about Reality TV and Audience Psychology for our regular fortnightly segment, Tomorrow's World!

That's us for the Monday Wire!

Property Valuation Declines & City Rail Link Maungawhau and K'Road Stations w/ Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson: 12 June 2025

Property Valuation Declines & City Rail Link Maungawhau and K'Road Stations w/ Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson: 12 June 2025 Property Valuation Declines & City Rail Link Maungawhau and K'Road Stations w/ Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson: 12 June 2025, 19.25 MB
Thu 12 Jun 2025

On Tuesday, Aucklanders checked the updated property valuations of their house, for many to find declines in value by 10s of thousands of dollars —- on average, by 9% from when they were last done in 2021. 
According to the Council. rating valuations were based on market trends and recent sales activity, as of May 1 2024.
Wayne Brown said in response to the decreased values, “The economy's been faltering for a while, and It's really driven by government policies rather than Auckland's policies,”

Also, as we get closer to 2026 and the completion of the City Rail Link, Aucklanders have expressed various concerns about the standard of completion, including incorporation of public feedback. 
I discuss the incorporation of the wider neighbourhood in Mt Eden at the Maungawhau station and the dismissal of public perspectives at the K Road station

The Freedom Flotilla, Sanctions Against Israeli Politicians, and the NBR Rich List w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 12 June, 2025

The Freedom Flotilla, Sanctions Against Israeli Politicians, and the NBR Rich List w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 12 June, 2025 The Freedom Flotilla, Sanctions Against Israeli Politicians, and the NBR Rich List w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 12 June, 2025, 9.32 MB
Thu 12 Jun 2025

New Zealand and key allies have imposed sanctions on two “extremist” Israeli politicians for their role in “inciting violence against Palestinians” in the West Bank.

However, opposition parties, including Labour as well as the Greens and Te Pāti Māori, are calling for further action to be taken against Israel.

It comes after Israel kidnapped 12 pro-Palestine activists on international waters, who were intending to break the aid blockade and reach Gaza.

And earlier this week, the National Business released their annual rich list.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, I spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about these topics.

International Desk: The Los Angeles protests against ICE w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 12 June, 2024

International Desk: The Los Angeles protests against ICE w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 12 June, 2024 International Desk: The Los Angeles protests against ICE w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 12 June, 2024, 19.58 MB
Thu 12 Jun 2025

Los Angeles is approaching a week of protests against ICE, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

Over 200 protestors have been arrested since the protests began, and restrictions have been placed on protestors, including a curfew.

The White House has sent 2,000 members of the National Guard to the city already, and another 2,000 are expected to be deployed. This is despite California Governor Gavin Newsom attempting to stop their deployment. 

For International Desk, I spoke to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News about the protests.

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: 11 June, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: 11 June, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: 11 June, 2025, 26.37 MB
Wed 11 Jun 2025

The Green party recently made renewed calls to the government to sanction Israel for its illegal occupation of Palestine following the seizure of the Madleen, a vessel that aimed to deliver food and medical aid to Gaza.

The vessel, which was en route to Gaza, was intercepted in the Mediterranean by the Israeli Defence Forces before being rerouted to Israel with all those on board, among whom was Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford recently announced the Parent Boost Visa, part of the government’s self-described commitment to supporting parents living overseas to visit and stay with their families here in Aotearoa.

And, over in the United States, 2000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines have been deployed to Los Angeles in response to protests opposing the city’s recent immigration raids.

For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Oto spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about all of these issues

Get Action! Keep Aotearoa Incinerator Free! w/ Sue Coutts from Zero Waste Network New Zealand: 11 June, 2025

Get Action! Keep Aotearoa Incinerator Free! w/ Sue Coutts from Zero Waste Network New Zealand: 11 June, 2025 Get Action! Keep Aotearoa Incinerator Free! w/ Sue Coutts from Zero Waste Network New Zealand: 11 June, 2025, 26.42 MB
Wed 11 Jun 2025

Currently, 19 out of 38 OECD countries use incineration as a form of waste management.

With the process leading to a range of negative impacts, such as air pollution, Co2 emissions and respiratory illnesses, Aotearoa has luckily remained incinerator free.

However, calls have been made by some activists to strengthen New Zealand’s legislation to ensure that incineration facilities are not opened up in Aotearoa.

For this week’s Get Action! Oto spoke to Sue Coutts from Zero Waste Network New Zealand to discuss a petition calling on the government to keep New Zealand Incinerator-free.

If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here:

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 10th June, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 10th June, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 10th June, 2025, 21.79 MB
Tue 10 Jun 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert, Professor Allan Blackman, chatted with us about how the universe really came about, causes of maths anxiety, and the makeup of a Dutch silver basin

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

Criticism at the AMAs, suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs, and new Parent Boost Visa w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th June, 2025

Criticism at the AMAs, suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs, and new Parent Boost Visa w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th June, 2025 Criticism at the AMAs, suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs, and new Parent Boost Visa w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th June, 2025, 13.69 MB
Tue 10 Jun 2025

These past few weeks in politics have seen various issues that we spoke about in our weekly catchup with the National Party.

First up, at the Aotearoa Music Awards, National MP Chris Bishop was heard making disdainful remarks such as “what a load of crap” during a performance by singer Stan Walker. 

Second, Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngārewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi were recently suspended from parliament for 21 days for their haka protesting the Treaty Principles Bill. The penalty is far harsher than any previous penalty for an MP, raising questions about whether it is justified or sets a dangerous precedent. 

Finally, the government recently announced a new visa for parents of migrants, allowing them to come to New Zealand for a longer period of time than traditional visitors without having to acquire residency.

Wire host Castor asked about each of these issues in our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, starting with Chris Bishop’s comments at the AMAs. 

David Seymour as Deputy Prime Minister, Seymour’s claims of ‘bots’ driving ‘fake’ submissions against the Regulatory Standards Bill, and Te Pāti Māori MPs being suspended from Parliament w/ ACT’s Simon Court: 9 June, 2025

David Seymour as Deputy Prime Minister, Seymour’s claims of ‘bots’ driving ‘fake’ submissions against the Regulatory Standards Bill, and Te Pāti Māori MPs being suspended from Parliament w/ ACT’s Simon Court: 9 June, 2025 David Seymour as Deputy Prime Minister, Seymour’s claims of ‘bots’ driving ‘fake’ submissions against the Regulatory Standards Bill, and Te Pāti Māori MPs being suspended from Parliament w/ ACT’s Simon Court: 9 June, 2025, 23.65 MB
Mon 9 Jun 2025

As per coalition agreements, ACT Party Leader, David Seymour, has been sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister, taking over from NZ First Leader, Winston Peters.

For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about Seymour’s new position, and what this means for the party.

They also discussed accusations Seymour made regarding submissions to the Regulatory Standards Bill.

In an interview with Guyon Espiner, Seymour claimed that 99.5% of the submissions against the Regulatory Standards Bill were driven by ‘bots’ and were ‘fake’ submissions.

Seymour later clarified to RNZ that by bots, he was meaning “online campaigns” creating “non-representative samples” that do not represent the public’s opinion.

The Ministry of Regulations received roughly 23,000 submissions on the bill. Of the submissions. Of the submissions, 0.33% were fully or partially supporting the bill, with 88% being against the bill.

Finally, they discussed the recommended suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs’ Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke standing.

But they, we discussed David Seymour as Deputy Prime Minister.

Te Pāti Māori MPs suspended from Parliament, NZ First Leader Winston Peters’ comments about Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi’s moko kanohi w/ Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: 9 June, 2025

Te Pāti Māori MPs suspended from Parliament, NZ First Leader Winston Peters’ comments about Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi’s moko kanohi w/ Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: 9 June, 2025 Te Pāti Māori MPs suspended from Parliament, NZ First Leader Winston Peters’ comments about Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi’s moko kanohi w/ Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: 9 June, 2025, 16.3 MB
Mon 9 Jun 2025

The recommended suspension for Te Pāti Māori MPs, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, over the MP’s haka in Parliament during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill last year.

Co-leaders Ngarewa-Packer and Waititi will be suspended from the House for 21-days, with Maipi-Clarke facing a seven day suspension. This is Parliament's harshest sanctions in the country’s history. Prior to this, the longest suspension an MP had faced in Parliament was three days.

The debate had previously been delayed so that the MPs could participate in the Budget debate — however, both co-leaders were not present at the debate.

During the debate MP Tākuta Ferris said that the debate was not about the haka, but at the heart, it was the House continuing to ignore Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori sovereignty, and that the “racism” in the House is hardly being hidden.

For our weekly catch-up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp about the suspension, and what’s next for the party.

They also discussed NZ First Party Leader Winston Peters’ comments regarding Waititi’s moko, referring to the MPs moko kanohi as “scribbles”. He was asked to apologise by the Speaker, which he did.

But first, they discussed the suspension of the MPs.

Proposals for Mount Smart Road and Auckland peak-hour congestion & Ngā Hapori Momoho grants for community projects w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: June, 05 2025

Proposals for Mount Smart Road and Auckland peak-hour congestion & Ngā Hapori Momoho grants for community projects w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: June, 05 2025 Proposals for Mount Smart Road and Auckland peak-hour congestion & Ngā Hapori Momoho grants for community projects w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: June, 05 2025, 28.95 MB
Thu 5 Jun 2025

Auckland Transport are seeking community feedback on a proposal for a new T3 transit lane on Mount Smart Road to relieve congestion during peak times heading towards the Royal Oak roundabout.

Between better public transport systems, a ‘time of use’ charge, and different ways of managing Auckland traffic, Producer Sara asks Councillor Julie Fairey about how Auckland Council hopes to reduce peak-time congestion as the city’s population grows.

She also talk to Julie Fairey about the recent allocation of funds to community-led projects through Ngā Hapori Momoho. This year, the grant which aims to “improve financial security, improve health outcomes, and grow community and intercultural connection” has approved funding for eleven community groups, six of which are either Māori organisations or delivering ‘strong Māori outcomes’. 

Sara begins with questions about Auckland central congestion.

*unfortunately the audio quality on Julie's end is poor